Kyiv: Zelensky Ready to Discuss Territory with Putin in Person
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha says President Volodymyr Zelensky is prepared to discuss territory at a face-to-face meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The message was relayed to Putin by the leaders of Finland and Norway in an October 27 phone call.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has let Russian President Vladimir Putin know he is ready to discuss territorial questions at an in-person meeting. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha told this to the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. The statement matters because Russia's war against Ukraine continues and peace talks are planned in Abu Dhabi.
The phone call with Putin
Zelensky's position was passed to Putin during an October 27 phone call by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. According to Sybiha, the European leaders started the call in coordination with Kyiv. Its main aim was to deliver Ukraine's message: besides proposing a meeting between the two leaders, Ukraine also called for a ceasefire.
Sybiha said Ukraine wants such a meeting and is ready for it. In his view, only a conversation between Zelensky and Putin is likely to change the dynamics of the negotiations. He said Zelensky is prepared to address the most difficult and sensitive issues, including territory.
Earlier statements
Stubb's office had said earlier that the call was meant to convey Ukraine's position on the upcoming peace talks in Abu Dhabi directly to Putin. Helsinki gave no further details.
The conversation was Putin's first contact with leaders of European countries supporting Ukraine since July 2025, when he spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron.
